Commenting trends - useful phrases
Increases : a slight/constant/marked/substantial/increase in sales an increase of about/roughly/approximately/in the region of ... % a little over/above what we predicted the recovery/upturn began in (month) an overall increase in ... an upward trend in the demand for ... sales reached record levels / reached a peak in (month) a strong surge in the sales of ... by (month), the figure had risen to ... we predict that sales will soar in the coming year / over the next ... months Decreases : just under our target way below our expectations a slight / notable / significant decrease in ... the downturn began in (month) the situation began to deteriorate in (month) the number has continued to fall Fluctuations : a slow start developed into steady progress in sales an initial upward trend was followed by ... we note slight fluctuations through the year normal seasonal variations are the cause of occasional downward trends sales have been (rather) irregular the level / the rate has been unstab...